Canada Aviation Museum
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Canada Aviation Museum

You can visit the Canada Aviation Museum just west of Ottawa Ontario on 17. If you have not visited in a few years it is time to go again. In 2005 they built a second hangar and the exhibits in the main building are now spaced somewhat more apart so that they are no longer on top of each other. It makes it a lot easier to view the aircraft as a whole, where previously you could only see a portion of some of the aircraft at one time. Some of the exhibits are very rare and historically significant.

There's an Avro Lancaster, a WWII German Messeerschmitt ME-163 Komet. and the remains of the Avro Arrow. The Avro Arrow was felt to be one of the most advanced aircraft at the time of its inception, but was cancelled due to what was said at the time to be high development costs, but there is much controversy on the subject today. There seems to be a significant amount of animosity towards the Prime Minister Diefenbaker for ordering the Arrow's cancellation. The Arrow's Nose section and wings are currently on display. Along with the Komet is a very well restored Messerschmitt Bf 109G and my favorite of the collection, a Heinkel HE 163 Salamander. It is resplendent in its original colors, but sadly it is disassembled in pieces and housed in the annex. You can only visit the Canada Aviation Museum annex with a tour guide and the tours are run after lunch.

Be sure to sign up for the annex tour early as the slots are limited. In the annex you get to see additional aircraft in varying stages of restoration. It helps give a small sense of the magnitude of what the CAM's staff and volunteers are faced with in order to bring their aircraft to a presentable state for display. If you are as much of an aircraft buff as I am, allow yourself a full day to really see everything and take in the annex tour as well. Unfortunately tripods are not allowed so be prepared to brace yourself and your camera for indoor shooting. The Canada Aviation Museum is like a candy store to the aircraft photography enthusiast.

On site at the Canada Aviation Museum is a small snack bar serving sandwiches and other lunch fare so there's no need to leave the building to get a bite to eat. They also have a gift shop with a number of aviation related gifts, toys and models. Also they have some very cool Tshirts. Be sure to check the museum's website for hours and directions